Parking apparatus



Sept. 3, 1935. E. s. TAYLOR PARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l FiledOct. 3l, 1934 Sept. 3, 1935. E. s. TAYLOR PARKING APPARATUS Filed Oct.31, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 3, 1935. E. s. TAYLOR PARKING APPARATUSFiled Oct. 3l, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 w .:w..|`..H,I:.-mHH i mm mw Sept3, 1935. E. s. TAYLoR 2,013,482

PARKING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3l, 1954 4 Sheets-Shes?I 4 Patented Sept.3, 1935 UNITED v'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PARKING APPARATUS Eugene S. Taylor, Chicago, Ill. Application October31, 1934, Serial No. 750,894

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in storage apparatus and, moreespecially, such apparatus adapted for Astoring vehicles, for example,motor vehicles and the like.

Among the features of my invention is the provision of improvedapparatus for storing vehicles in a. confined space or area on asubstantially horizontal floor or support, making very effective use ofthe space at hand While at the same time providing ample space for themovement to and fro of vehicles.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown the sameemployed in connection 1 with a unit area having certain dimensions. It

is obvious, however, that the principles of the invention may beembodied in larger or smaller areas.

By the use of my invention, a large proportion of any given space may beeffectively utilized for the storage of vehicles and, at the same time,any individual vehicle can be placed in storage or removed therefromwith a relatively small amount of movement of other stored vehicles andby way of paths or driving lanes wider than otherwise would be possible.

Another new and novel feature of my invention is the development of thevehicle carriers or parkers in two separate, distinct and unconnectedsections; one section to support the front wheels of a vehicle and theother section to support its rear wheels.

An important feature is the connection of the carriers in each rank intoa train which can be opened or disconnected at any place, permitting thetwo portions of the train to be separated, thus opening a driving lanefor entry or removal of a car. In connection with this arrangement, Iarrange the vehicle carriers in rank and ille formation substantiallyfilling the unit area, with the exception of one le (except in the lastrank). In addition to the one file thus left, I also find it desirableto leave a little extra space on each side so that when it is desired toseparate the carriers in any rank to produce a driving lane, the vacantfile, plus the extra spaces on the sides, will permit the formation of alane wider than otherwise would be possible. In connection with thisarrangement, I also provide means for separating one or more trains andmeans for moving the two portions away from each other to leave such anunobstructed lane between said portions.

The apparatus consists of a combination of movable carriers capable ofsupporting automobiles or other vehicles, these carriers being so lowand flat and so disposed with relation to the .floor or supportingsurface as to oier no material obstruction to the movement ofautomobiles over either the carriers or the floor in any direction. Theapparatus includes rollers on the floor for supporting the carriers;guide strips on the floor for guiding the carriers; means for connectingand disconnecting the carriers; and the use of fiat plates to form thecarriers with separate sections if desired for the front and rear wheelsof the automobile.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully asI proceed with my specification.

In that form of device embodying the features of my invention shown inthe accompanying drawingsl Figure 1 is a top plan view; Fig. 2 is asimilar fragmentary view on an enlarged scale showing some of thecarriers removed; Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the line 3 ofFig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view taken as indicated by the line 4 of Fig. 2;Fig. 5 is a view taken as indicated by the line 5 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6is a top plan view of the construction of Fig. 5 showing portions brokenaway.

As shown in the drawings, Fig. 1 indicates a unit of storage space orarea, for example, a single fioor of a building of sufiicient size toaccommodate substantially twenty-eight vehicles (when filled to itsmaximum capacity) inA rank and file formation, seven vehicles to eachrank and four to each file. This unit of floor area or space I haveindicated in general by III, the walls of the same being indicated byII, I I, IIb.

Numerals I2, I2 may indicate doors or openings affording access to thefloor I0. In the event that the floor III is above the ground level, I3,|33, I3b may indicate elevators.

For convenience, I shall designate the seven files A, B, C, D, E, F, Gand the ranks I, 2, 3, 4. Each of the doors I2 furnishes access to thefloor area and a vehicle may be moved on its ownA wheels anywhere overthe oor area, thus having unimpeded access from any door to any rank`and file storage position. My storage apparatus is so constructed as topermit vehicles to movek about the storage area substantially as freelyas if the apparatus was not there. This free movement is a decidedimprovement on other mechanical storage apparatus that does not permitthis.

As stated, the unit area I have shown will accommodate twenty-eightvehicles when lled to its maximum capacity. In normal operation,however, I prefer t'o keep one le (with the exception of one vehicle inthe last rank) vacant.

With this arrangement, by mere sidewise shifting of certain vehicles,any vehicle can be driven straight ahead through an unobstructed lane toa door and onto an elevator. Although this vacant ille represents a lossin storage space, it is evident that as the number of illes isincreased, the percentage of loss caused by a single vacant file isreduced.

In order to utilize a relatively large proportion of the storage spaceand still permit any particular vehicle to be removed from the samequickly and conveniently, it is necessary or desirable to provide meansfor effecting lateral movement or shifting of stored vehicles from oneille to another in any rank. One of the features of my invention is theprovision of such means so constructed as not substantially to interferewith the free movement of stored vehicles on their own` wheels from rankto rank in any ille.

This means, permitting such lateral shifting, includes transverse guideson the floor, suiciently low to afford no material obstacle to themovement of automobiles over them. The vehicle carriers movetransversely across the i'loor between these guides. Since theconstruction and operation of these guides are substantially the same ineach rank, it is necessary to describe in detail but one. 'I'hese areshown, for example, in Fig. 3. where such guides are in the form ofsquare tubes suitably fastened to the floor III. The tubes I4, I4accommodate the carrier which supports the back wheels of a vehicle andthe guides I5, I5n guide the carrier which supports the front wheels.

All the carriers, including those for both the front and back wheels,lare similar in construction and operation, except that those for thefront wheels are somewhat longerifrom front to back). lConsequently, Ishall describe but one in detail. The carriers for the front wheels areindicated by 25, and those for the back wheels, by 24. Obviously, ifdesired, the vehicles may be reversed on the carriers. It is obviousalso that the two carriers for one vehicle may be made integral, andthat the two carriers, as shown, for the front and rear wheels,respectively, of one vehicle may be considered as the two sections of asingle carrier. Hereafter, therefore, I may use the term vehicle carrierto cover meansto carry one vehicle, whether such carrier consists of oneor two sections. I

The carriers 24 and 25 are primarily formed of thin plates, such platesbeing thin enough and close enough to the oor so that they do notsubstantially interfere with the movement of vehicles on their'ownwheels over the carriers or the floor or supporting surface. 'Ihat is, avehicle may be easily driven or otherwise moved in any and everydirection on its own wheels, anywhere on the floor, regardless of thepresence or absence of the carriers.

In the operation of the apparatus, vehicles may be driven into any leand located in any rank shaft.

mobiles on the same (if such automobiles be of maximum width) beseparated by only three or four inches. For example, the carriers may be6 6" wide. If these are occupied by cars 6' 3" Wide, the cars will beseparated by three inches when the carriers are hooked together intrains.

Adjacent the wall II, however, I provide an extra space of nine inches,as indicated by 50, and a similar space of nine inches adjacent the wallI I, as indicated by 5I In order to provide a driving lane of adequatewidth in any ille, the vacant ille at the side may be temporarilyutilized and the spaces 50 and 5I closed up. By this means, ready accessis afforded to any carrier in any rank. For example, to locate or removethe car in rank 3, ille D, the cars in ranks I and 2, files A, B and C,are shifted toward the wall II to close the vspace 50. 'I'he oars inranks I and 2, files D, E

` about nine inches beyond in order to close the space 5I. 'I'hispermits the car in rank 3, i'lle D to be rolled on its own wheelsstraight onto the elevator I3.

The vehicle carriers roll laterallysidewise on rollers 52 suitablymounted on the floor I0. The lateral shifting may be accomplished in anysuitable mann'er. If desired, the cars can be shifted manually. Iprefer, however, to provide mechanical means for shifting the carriersand will now describe such means.

Vehicles are shifted by shifting the carriers upon` which such vehiclesare stored. I have here shown mechanical means for laterally shiftingthe carriers, said means comprising racks 28 attached to the two endjcarriers in each rank, and pinions 29 in mesh with such racks, saidpinions being mounted on driving shafts 30 (see Figs. 3 and 4)countersunk in the oor.

Customary means, such as an electric motor 3l, is provided for theoperation of each driving I provide a separate driving means at each endof each rank (except rank 4). The usual means are provided for reversingthe motors. When any train is disconnected at any place, the twoportions of the train may readily be separated to provide a lane betweenthem.

I provide means for connecting and disconnecting the carriers at anypoint. The coupling means may be of any suitable form. As here shown, Iprovide one carrier with holes adapted to be engaged by verticallymovable bolts 6I carried by projecting portions 62 of the adjacentcarrier. The bolts carry coils of wire 63. In the floor I0 are aplurality of coils 64. These coils are so located that when the carriersare located in their respective files from A vto F, inclusive, as thecarriers in rank 3 are shown located in Fig. 1, there is such a coil 64under each bolt 6I. that when the coil 64 is energized by a directelectric current, another current is induced in the coil 63. These coilsare so wound that there will thus be produced like poles at the top of'the coil 64 and at the lower end of the bolt 6I.

This will repel the bolt 6I upwardly into the dotted position shown inFig. 5, to release the latch. When the current is shut off, the bolt 6Iwill drop by gravity into the hole'60, provided' such bolt and hole areproperly alined. The coil '64 in each row between the les are preferablyal1 connected by wires 65 in a conduit 66 so that all the coils 64 ineach row between two illes can be energized simultaneously. This willraise all the bolts 6I in suchrow, thus disconnecting The coils 63 and64 are so wound' the train in each rank (except rank 4). By thisconstruction, the formation of a driving lane isgreatly facilitated. Forexample, to open the lane, as shown in Fig. 1, for the removal of thecar in rank 3, le D, all the latches between files C and D areraised.This'disconnects the trains in ranks l, 2 and 3. The motors at each endof ranks I and 2 are then operated to separate the trains in ranks I and2, as shown'. After the car is removed, these trains are broughttogether and the bolts allowed to drop into eny gagement. It will beseen that the bolts in rank -3 were also raised, thus disconnecting thetrain in this rank, but the portions of this train were notseparatedand,- consequently, the bolts just dropped back into place again whenthe current was released.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, itis to be understood that it is capable of many modications. Changes,therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in theappended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all noveltyinherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the priorart.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Apparatus for storing vehicles, including; a iloor of unit area; aplurality of vehicle carriers in rank and iile formation substantiallylling said area with the exception of one file, said carriers beingsufliciently close to the floor to permit free passage of vehiclesthereover on their own Wheels; means for connecting .the carriers in anyrank (except the last) into train foi'- mation, said means permittingdisconnection of said train at any point into two portions; and meansfor moving the two portions of any such train when disconnected toseparate the same.

2. Apparatus for storing vehicles, including; a oor of unit area; aplurality of vehicle carriers in rank and file formation, substantiallyfilling said area with the exception of one vacant file 'and extraspaces at the sides, said carriers being sufiiciently close to the iioorto permit free passage of vehicles thereover on their own wheels; meansfor connecting the carriers in any rank (except the last) into trainformation, said means permitting disconnection of said train into twoportions; and means for moving the two portions of any such train whendisconnected to separate the same and cause said portions to utilize thevacant lile and the extra spaces at the sides.

3. Apparatus for storing vehicles, including; a floor of unit, area; aplurality of vehicle carriers in rank and le formation substantiallylling said area with the exception of one le, said carriers beingsuillciently close to the floor to permit free passage of vehiclesthereover on their own wheels; means for connecting the carriers in anyrank (except the last) into train formation; simultaneously operatingmeans for disconnecting the trains in each rank on a line adjacent anyille; and means for separating the disconnected portions of any trains.

4. Apparatus for storing vehicles, including; a floor of unit area; aplurality of vehicle carriers in rank and le formation substantiallylling said area with the exception of one le, said carriers beingsuiiiciently close to the floor to permit free passage of vehiclesthereover on their own wheels; means for' connecting the carriers in anyrank (except the last) into train formation, said means permittingdisconnection of any train at any point; and means adjacent each end ofeach rank for moving the end carriers.

lthe vehicle carriers comprise substantially flat lplates.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the floor is provided withrollers and in which the vehicle carriers include at plates resting onsaid rollers.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in whlch the floor is provided withrollers and in which the vehicle carriers include at plates resting onsaid rollers.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the floor is provided withrollers and in which the vehicle carriers include flat plates resting onsaid rollers.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the floor is provided withrollers and in which the vehicle carriers include flat plates resting onsaid rollers.

13. Apparatus for storing vehicles, including; a oor of unit area; aplurality of vehicle carriers in rank and le formation substantiallyfilling said area with the exception of one vacant le and extra spacesat the sides, said carriers being sulciently close to the floor topermit free passage of vehicles thereover on their own wheels; means forconnecting the carriers in any rank (except the last) into trainformation; and means for separating any train at any point and movingthe two portions thereof in opposite di-- rections away from each otherto leave an unobstructed lane between said portions.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the carriers compriseflat plates.

EUGENE S. TAYLOR.

